Within the SACU region, there is supposed to be free movement of agricultural goods, with a few exceptions, including national security and when there are crop and animal diseases
We are working to expand the sector and ensure we provide high-quality products to new markets. It remains key that the sector’s “knowledge infrastructure” is up to date and, importantly, that new entrant farmers are supported
The benefits of lower grain prices, ample fruit and vegetable supplies, and potentially sideways meat prices will continue to be the major drivers of the deceleration in food price inflation in 2026
The latest data for the third quarter shows that South Africa’s agricultural exports totalled US$4.7 billion, up from 13% from the same period a year ago
But the country may not keep the ban for long, because a shortfall of about 700,000 is expected later in the season
It is probably opportunistic trade for livestock feed
But we must still work to reduce Donald Trump’s 30% tariff and look to and maintain other markets
The rural economy should not be forgotten in South Africa’s economic growth agenda,
About half of South Africa’s maize was exported to Vietnam, Taiwan and South Korea in the first 13 weeks of the 2025-26 marketing year
Concerns over poultry and red meat supplies should not have a bearing in the long term